Garlic

Garlic

Garlic

What is it:

Garlic is a member of the allium family and is native to central Asia. Garlic has historically been used for medicinal purposes and can be included in a diverse array of dishes or dehydrated for use in packaged goods.

Rating:

Garlic-derived compounds diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine both have anti-inflammatory activity. Garlic also can help lower hypertension in people who have high blood pressure and may help improve longevity among the elderly. Choosing organic garlic can help reduce exposure to harmful pesticides.

Resources:

  1. Biological Functions of Diallyl Disulfide (review)
  2. S-allyl Cysteine and Cognitive Benefits in Rats (animal study)
  3. Garlic and Blood Pressure (review)
  4. Garlic and longevity (cohort study)

How we rate ingredients

Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:

Clean

It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.

Caution

It goes into one or more of the below categories

  • It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
  • It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)

We Avoid

It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)

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